Maya

" You are in Mumbai!" I sat upright on my bed with a jerk. It was hard to digest the fact that he came to Mumbai all the way from London, all of a sudden.

" Yes but you are not sleeping, are you? " Pranav chuckled which made all my anger drain away.

" You should have informed me earlier. Are you at the airport? I am coming to pick you up," I said, hurriedly wearing my slippers.

" No need. I took a taxi already. You stay in your room. Sit down and wait for me. Open the door only after looking through the eyehole." 

" Come soon!" I said excitedly and my heart leapt in joy. 

Finally, I will meet him after such a long time.

I ran towards Ayushi's room and knocked on it twice before getting inside only to find her immersed in her phone. Her eyes were popping out of her sockets as she kept on gaping at the screen. She won't bother to move even if there is an earthquake or tsunami. 

" Hey, Earth to Ayushi," I said, throwing a pillow at her face. She throws the pillow away, without looking away from the screen. I got up on her bed and sat by her side, peeking glances at her phone screen. Being conscious of the surroundings, she at once covered her phone and jumped to sit straight. 

" What were you watching like that?" I asked, elbowing her in a teasing manner, " Don't tell me it was Boys over Flowers ." 

" It indeed was," she said, smiling sheepishly. Boys over Flowers, her all-time favourite drama. I remember how she made me watch that drama more than a million times. Thanks to her, I still remember all the dialogues by heart and doubt it to ever forget them. 

" The F4 are so handsome! We are the only unfortunate left on this earth. Oh, now it's only me. You already got yourself two gorgeous actors. You are so fortunate. I envy you," she said while staring at the ceiling. 

" Two?" 

" Yes, One is Ishaan Kapoor and the other is Ajay," she said with enthusiasm. I smiled at the mention of Ishaan but soon faded when she talked about Ajay. If I would have been drinking water, I might have spilt it. 

Ajay? And Handsome? The weirdest combo. But who was I kidding? He really is good-looking and has sharp features much to my annoyance.

" Ajay? Please, he is not at all handsome. Don't ruin my mood. Okay now, listen to me, PRANAV. IS. COMING," I almost shouted the last words.

I looked at Ayushi, who was staring at me silently until she shouted," Finally, I will meet your miraculous brother about whom you don't stop talking. I am so excited! But hey, where will he stay? We only have two rooms. " 

" I don't know. What should we do then?" I asked while biting my nails.

" Let me shift into your room. My room is better presentable than yours. So, it won't take long to organise this room and shift my belongings." 

" Are you indirectly telling me that I should clean up my room?" 

" Any doubt on that," she shrugged. 

I sighed. " You are right. But I have already cleaned it up," I said, pouting my face. 

" If bundling out clothes and dumping inside the cupboard counts then, you are the world's best cleaner." 

" That's an art," I remarked, laughing out loud as she rolled her eyes.

We both got down from the bed and took part in cleaning and shifting things. After a while, everything was arranged and the room looked completely like a new one. 

" All done and set." 

★★★ 

We pulled an all-nighter, watching 'Boys over Flowers' yet again. The whole night, we talked, laughed and enjoyed every bit. But then before I could know it, I had fallen asleep on my brother's shoulders. 

My eyes slightly opened at the sun rays peeking inside through the tiny space between the curtains. I rubbed my tired eyes and attempted to look at my surroundings when I felt a cold hand on my eyes when I heard a soft whisper in my eyes, " Sleep a little more." 

I didn't need anyone to tell me who it was. His warm and calming voice gave it off. I pulled off his hands and turned around to see Pranav smiling widely. I wonder how anyone can be so cheerful in the morning!

" I have my office. You take a little rest. Yesterday you couldn't sleep all night." I ruffled his hair while he patted me.

" It was amazing to pull an all-nighter after such a long time. Well, freshen yourself. By that time, let me prepare something delicious for my little sis." 

I glared at him, showing my fake anger and said, " Don't dare to step into the kitchen. Ayushi and I will prepare breakfast today." 

He chuckled and pulled my cheeks as he said, "Okay, monkey." I smiled and took my formal top and black jeans from the closet.

" Good morning," Ayushi squealed as soon as I entered the living room.

"Wow! You are in such high spirits on a Wednesday! What's up?" I asked, looking at the files on my laptop screen.

" You can't understand my feelings now. I am so very happy. Your brother is really miraculous. We talked about dramas and movies all night. I didn't know your brother could get so enthusiastic about films. He is so much like you. Even better." 

" Don't get so excited. We have to go to the office. I don't know what I will say about the interview with Ajay to my boss?" I said, sighing. 

" True but don't worry, you are a strong girl and I am always there by your side." Her words gave me the strength to face my boss. 

" Thank you. Let me help with the breakfast," I said, picking an apple from the fruit basket. 

Today is the day of the party. My excitement grew with every second passing by. I wanted to meet Ishaan again and thank him for inviting me. 

After having breakfast, Ayushi and I left for the office. I was in no mood to go to that hell and listen to the rants of my boss, leaving my brother at home. We took a bus to the office and I pulled out my phone after taking a vacant seat. 

A keyring came out along with my phone. It was a round ball structure with a ring surrounding it, golden flaked with a silver lining. My heart started aching, thinking about the person who had gifted me the keyring. My most treasured gift from my ex-best friend. 

I grasped the keyring tightly in my fist, trying to forget everything but somehow it deepened my wounds from the past. "Maya, Happy Birthday. Remember to keep this keyring with you always. This will bring you good luck and fate." The words ring in my ears. 

Were you serious about wishing me good luck and fate? I lost everything, my ambitions, my dream. In a blink of an eye, my entire life got destroyed, wasn't it all because of you? 

I chuckled as these years made me realise the bitter truth of life. I threw the keyring inside my bag. I somehow couldn't stop thinking about all those years of our friendship. Was it all a lie? Or was someone just playing pranks on me? In the end, I just feel mad at myself. For crying over you. For throwing away my dreams. With every single passing day I regret choosing to end it. I wish I never met you, Akash.  

★★★

As soon as I entered the office, my mind jumbled up in an attempt to prepare a few excuses and a kind apology. 

" May I come in, sir?" The dialogue which I had been saying right from our school days. Nothing changed except that now we don't say it in a sing-song manner. 

" Come in," he said, without looking up from his desktop. " So, what is your status in the interview with Ajay?" 

" Sir…um, I need some… more time." I kept my gaze low, without daring to look at him. 

He, however, replied calmly, " Hmm… Okay. You can take a leave and prepare for it."  

His words didn't show any sign of anger but it directly showed me the exit door of the office. 

" I am so sorry sir but please, give me another chance. I won't disappoint you." 

He stared at me blankly and after a pause, laughed out loud, creeping me with all the more possibilities to be told off. " No, you are getting it wrong. I am genuinely telling you to carry on with the interview and also prepare for the party?" 

The party? Does he know? But how? My lips parted slightly and I suppose my face was readable enough for the boss, who soon explained it to me, " I heard from a reliable source that a reporter has got the invitation to the party by Ishaan Kapoor himself. It didn't take much time for me to find the person." 

He smiled at me and continued, "Channels need spicy news to promote themselves and that can happen in opportunities like this when a reporter gets to mingle with their personal life. Get me some fresh gossip and boom, we will turn out the best. But don't take too much pressure. Go and make this your best opportunity." He fisted his hand in the air.

My eyes widened at his cheerful attitude and exaggerated expressions with a lot of hand movements. I came out of the cabin, perplexed at his sudden change in behaviour towards me. 

But whatever the nonsense he did about the whole news thing, I am strongly against it. I am not here to gossip or do any kind of yellow journalism. 

Spicy news? Not gonna happen, sir. 

★★★

" Isn't it too much luggage for a month? It's so heavy," I groaned as I tried to pick it up. 

He made a confused look and replied, "Who told you that I have come here for a month? What if I say I will keep my promise now?" 

His words confused me and I stared at him blankly.

" You don't remember what I used to say when we were young?" 

I slowly recalled the time when I asked him why he was so nice to me out of sheer curiosity, his reply was…

" I live to make you protect you and feed you good food," I uttered the exact words he used to often mention during his younger days. Right now those words sounded more sweet and meaningful, making my heart swell in tears of happiness. 

" Exactly. I will, from now on, protect you and make sure to feed you nicely. I am a good brother, aren't I? Who loves me?" I jumped and spread my arms around him. Indeed he is the best brother one can ever have.

After a moment of celebration, he asked, "When is your party?" I checked the clock which had just turned 6:30 pm. I lazily spread my arm around his shoulder and replied, "There is a lot of time." 

" Have you decided on what you are going to wear?" My lips parted and I rushed inside my room, rummaging through my closet. I took out all of my clothes and found most of them were just casual outfits which won't go even with the word 'party'. 

" Found one?" My brother asked, leaning on the door. 

" Yes, finally!" I was delighted to find a suitable dress for the party which would not make a fool of me. It was a floral printed half-sleeve top and a long skirt. 

" Today I will do the makeover for my little monkey"—Pranav announced—" You are surprised, right?" 

I was indeed surprised at the sudden offer. I don't usually put on makeup and once when I tried to do it, the outcome was something out of the zoo. But this time I wanted to dress like Cinderella; for the one who can turn out to be my Prince Charming.

Coming to think of it, it's been ages since I have been to a party or social gathering and it's not like every day you get a chance to be a part of one of the biggest Bollywood parties. 

" Are you sure? Well, I can do it." I was very well aware of my horrible skills in doing a makeover but I wasn't sure about Pranav whether he would be able to do it. 

It can turn out in two ways: One, turning into a beauty queen, stealing the limelight of the occasion. Second, turning into a horrible creature, who can help keep the ghosts away. Being a positive girl, I believed the first option to be the outcome. 

At last I agreed to his offer.

Can it be more awful than mine from earlier? It possibly can't.

~•~

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